JONESBORO, Ark. (9/6/17) – Arkansas State head baseball coach Tommy Raffo announced Wednesday the addition of Craig Massoni to the Red Wolves’ coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach.

A native of Danville, Calif., Massoni played at Chabot College in Hayward, Calif., before transferring to Austin Peay State. He played one year for the Governors, but it was a memorable one as he helped the squad to a 47-15 record and berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Govs won two games in the tournament before being eliminated.

“We are excited to add Craig to the Red Wolves baseball family,” said Raffo. “He brings a strong background to Arkansas State baseball as a player, with both individual and team accolades while at Austin Peay. He was scouted and signed by former San Francisco Giants scout, Hugh Walker. His experience at a higher level will help instruct our infielders and assist with our offense this year.”

Massoni spent the majority of his time at first base and earned the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year award after his lone season in Clarksville, Tenn. He finished the 2013 campaign with a team-high .385 batting average and .475 on-base percentage. Additionally, he led the team in home runs (16), RBI (68), total bases (158), and slugging percentage (.661) on his way to claiming Second-Team All-American honors from Louisville Slugger.

“I am extremely excited to begin my coaching career with the Red Wolves,” Massoni said. “I have heard nothing but great things about the program here at Arkansas State and I am looking forward to contributing in any way I can. I have been so incredibly fortunate to have had the experiences I did as a player, both collegiately and professionally. I am really looking forward to joining the staff here in Jonesboro and helping our players reach their goals individually and as a team.”

Following his excellent year at Austin Peay, the San Francisco Giants drafted Massoni in the 33rd round of the MLB Draft. He spent two seasons in the Giants’ organization, posting a .258 batting average with a .366 on-base percentage, before moving on to play three seasons of independent ball. His best season was in 2015 when he recorded a .289 batting average and .395 on-base percentage for the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League.

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